Disney operates like its own county government in Florida — but that could change, now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a new bill lawmakers approved this week. Here, tourists walk through Disney Springs at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., last month. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill stripping Disney World of its status as an"independent special district," fulfilling his request to punish the Disney company for its stances on social and education issues.
Disney operates like a county government, building and maintaining municipal services like electricity, water and roads, and providing police and fire protection. It even taxes itself. The setup was intended to give Disney autonomy while also relieving the counties of paying for new services and infrastructure in what was once a remote and rural area., targets it and five other independent special districts that were created before 1968.
The change promises to shake up the local tax picture, according to Scott Randolph, a Democrat who is the Orange County tax collector. ."That doesn't just transfer to Orange County because it's an independent taxing district. However, Orange County then inherits all debt and obligations with no extra funds."
Vengeful little man.